Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park – Tour, Hike, and Swim! Register

Date and Time:
Tue, Aug 26, 2025; 9:30 AM (Central)

Organized By: Eastern Missouri Group

Location: G5X3+73 Middle Brook, MO, USA

Map | Directions

Event Organizers:
Luke Steffen
   lukesteffen986@gmail.com
   314-676-1080 D, 614-915-2110 N
Richard Armstrong
   rickarmstrongpi@gmail.com
   314-691-4613

Time: 9:30 AM -- Meet at the Johnson Shut-Ins State Park Visitor Center

Schedule:

• 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM Sign in, tour the Visitor Center. Feel free to check out the boulder field nearby as well.
• 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM Hike 0.7 miles on the Black River trail to the Johnston Cemetery near the Shut-ins.
• 11:15 AM - Noon Eat lunch and walk to the Shut-ins.
• 12:15 pm - 3:00 pm Change into river shoes and swimsuit. Enjoy swimming in the shut ins!
• 3:00 – 3:30 Hike 0.7 miles back to the cars.

At 3:30 pm, the Sierra Club Trip is officially over, but you may stay longer at the shut-ins or visitor center.
 
Location: Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park Visitor’s Center
148 Taum Sauk Trail, Middle Brook, MO 63656
Coordinates: 37.548364, -90.847339

Directions: From I-55 and I-270 in South County, it is about an 1 hour, 40 minute drive:

• Take I-55 South for 22 miles
• Make a right onto Exit 174B to merge onto US-67 South for 30 miles
• Take right onto the MO-32 W exit toward Leadington/Park Hills
• Keep right and merge onto MO-32 W and drive for 10.4 miles
• Turn left onto State Highway N/Cedar St and drive for 9.5 miles
• Turn right onto MO-21 N for half a mile
• Turn left onto State Highway N for 12.8 miles. The park and visitor’s center will be on your left.

Optional Carpool
We will meet at the east edge (furthest from store) of the Schnuck’s parking lot on Butler Hill at 4333 Butler Hill Rd, St. Louis, MO 63128. We will leave the lot promptly at 7:30 AM.

Description: 
Come enjoy the beautiful landscape, and the refreshingly cold, spring fed East Fork of the Black River, at Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park in the St. Francois Mountains about a 2 hour’s drive South of St. Louis! We will meet at the park visitor’s center at 9:30 am, take care of our paperwork, and tour this museum to learn about the ecology and geology of the region. If you wish, at the end of the event you may spend more time in the Visitor Center [closes at 5 pm] or to explore the nearby boulder field. At 10:30 am, we will walk 0.6 miles along the flat, paved Black River Trail to the Johnston Cemetery, named after one of the first European families in the region, and break for lunch. Then we will walk along the Shut-Ins trail about a half mile to the river itself and go swimming all afternoon, wrapping up at 3 pm! Then walk a half mile back to the cars.

• Bring: swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, walking shoes, and dry clothes for the ride home. The rocks are slippery, so bring river shoes or sandals with good grip.
• Bring plenty of water, lunch, and snacks. A store near the shut-ins sells snacks and drinks.
• You may store your valuables in a coin-operated locker in that store for $1.  Quarters only!
• Restrooms are available at the Visitor Center and at the Shut-Ins.
• There are changing rooms at the Shut-Ins, but you may wish to wear your swimsuit from the start.
• Difficulty: Easy 0.6 mile hike each way, but it may be hot
• Maximum number of participants: 20
• If you ARE coming, please RSVP on the EMG website. 
• All participants must sign a waiver. A $1 per person Sierra Club donation is requested. Dollar bills are appreciated.
• Bring water and snacks as needed. Pets are not allowed on the property. Guns are prohibited.

Website:
https://mostateparks.com/park/johnsons-shut-ins-state-park
 

Level: Easy